Hayling Island Races 1867

The first meeting of the flat races, fixed to be held for two days annually at Hayling, came off under extremely unfavourable circumstances….. Heavy rain fell during the whole of the day and this discomfiture was considerably increased by the fact that there was no railway communication from Havant, as had been anticipated, the government inspector, it is said, not having gone over the line on the previous day according to arrangement…..The train service from Havant to Hayling will be opened this morning.

The inspector returned on 15th August and found that considerable work had been done to correct some of the issues raised. This was sufficient for him to allow the line to open although he recommended a speed limit of 20mph. The level crossing was never authorised and this remained the case until the line closed in 1963.